Hybrid Senior Development Manager: Food Innovation & NPD

Zest Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest Recruitment is seeking a Senior Development Manager to drive innovation across a major portfolio in a UK food manufacturing environment. You will own the product journey from concept to handover and drive the NPD pipeline, working with Commercial, Category, Technical and Operations teams to push boundaries while ensuring commercial feasibility.

You will lead two direct reports, inspire the team, and travel to other sites as needed, with four days on site and one day work-from-home.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years in a fast-paced UK food manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading innovation and NPD initiatives.
• Two direct reports to develop and mentor.

Responsibilities

• Lead the portfolio of innovation from concept through customer handover.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Category, Technical and Operations teams.
• Present confidently to major retail customers.
• Occasional travel to other sites as required.

Skills

Leadership

Mentor reports

NPD pipeline

Commercial feasibility

Cross-functional

Job description

Zest Recruitment is seeking a Senior Development Manager to drive innovation across a major portfolio in a UK food manufacturing environment. You will own the product journey from concept to handover and drive the NPD pipeline, working with Commercial, Category, Technical and Operations teams to push boundaries while ensuring commercial feasibility.

You will lead two direct reports, inspire the team, and travel to other sites as needed, with four days on site and one day work-from-home.